Dhaka, July 30 (UNB) – Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland QC has urged Bangladesh to lead the Commonwealth Blue Charter and climate risk management as she met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in London on Monday evening.
“Bangladesh should lead the Commonwealth Blue Charter and climate risk management,” PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted Patricia as saying at the meeting.
The Commonwealth Blue Charter is an agreement by all 53 Commonwealth countries to actively cooperate to solve ocean-related problems and meet commitments for sustainable ocean development.
Ihsanul said the Prime Minister agreed with the proposal of the Commonwealth secretary general, saying her government is working on the issue.
He said Sheikh Hasina and Patricia discussed the issues of ICT and SDG tracker.
The Commonwealth secretary general highly lauded Bangladesh’s tremendous success in the ICT sector and progress in the SDG tracker.
She said the Commonwealth Women Conference will be held this year in Nairobi where Bangladesh can play a vital role.
Patricia also said Commonwealth member countries can learn from Bangladesh’s improved version of the SDG tracker.
She said a continental free trade area will be introduced among 49 states out of total 53 Commonwealth members.
The Prime Minister said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman initiated disaster management programme in Bangladesh and the present government is following his steps to manage climate risks.
She also apprised Patricia of various steps taken by the government to this effect.
Sheikh Hasina hailed the contribution of the Commonwealth secretary general to the umbrella organisation of 53 countries.
PM’s daughter Saima Wazed Hossain, PM’s Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman and Bangladesh High Commissioner in London Saida Muna Tasneem were present.
